Shellharbour City Council has developed a list of priorities to address barriers faced by people with disability.
These focus areas are part of Council's recently adopted Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2023 - 2026.
The plan builds on the success of previous plans and outlines how the organisation will continue to improve access to Council facilities and services, as well as advocating for improvements across the city.
It will be implemented over the next four years and will be incorporated into Council's planning documents to ensure that access and inclusion becomes part of the organisation's core business.
Shellharbour City Council's Disability Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee (DAIAC) led the development of the plan, which will be reviewed annually.
The committee is responsible for ensuring that Council is responsive to the diverse needs of the community and gives a voice to people within the community affected by access and inclusion.
The committee collaborated with the community to learn more about people's views on disability, access and inclusion.
Community consultation included people with disabilities and their carers, service providers, schools and preschools, seniors, Council staff and Councillors.
Shellharbour City Mayor Chris Homer said he was confident that the city would become an even more accessible and inclusive place through the implementation of the 2023 - 2026 plan.
"For over 32 years, Council has worked alongside the community to make our city more accessible and inclusive through improvements to access to the built and natural landscape of our city," Mayor Homer said.
"In 2021, 5392 people (7.1%) in Shellharbour City reported needing help in their day-to-day lives due to disability, which is higher than the NSW average of 5.8%.
"This new plan will help us all work together to make Shellharbour City a place where people with disabilities and their families are able to live, work and play as equals.
"I want to thank everyone who contributed their ideas and feedback during the plan's development. I particularly want to acknowledge the Disability Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee, whose members provided invaluable guidance through their knowledge and lived experience.
"I also thank the many families, carers and disability service providers in our community who support and empower people with disability every day," he said.
